Born 1969 in Brăila, Aura Bălănescu lives and works in Timișoara, Romania.

Founder of MAAM : Media Art and More (2020) / Open Studio / Exploratory Lab / Playground
Co-founder of Avantpost Platform (2014) for manifesting and archiving local artists that work at border of art, science and technology

Studies:
BA/MA Sculpture Department (1998-2003) Fine Arts Faculty and Design, West University of Timișoara
PhD in Visual Arts (Media Sculpture Thesis) (2005-2009), School of Doctoral Studies, West University of Timișoara

Media Art Research:
2019 BR41N.IO Hackathon, Ars Electronica Festival, PostCity Linz
2018 International Conference Zip-Scene – Analog and Digital Immersive Environments, Moholy Nagy / Universitatea de Arte și Design Budapesta
2018 LIGHT EDU Symposium, Facultatea de Arhitectură și Urbanism / Ordinul Arhitecților Timișoara
2018 Elektro Arts Festival: Muzică electroacustică, dans, fotografie digitală și instalație new media, Casa Matei / Universitatea de Arte și Design Cluj-Napoca
2018 International Conference Stereo & Immersive Media: Photography and Sound Research Universitatea Lusofona / Facultatea de Telecomunicații, Arhitectură, Arte și Tehnologia Informației, Lisabona
2018 New Media Nova Festival: Wisp Kollektiv Mobile / 3D Immersive Audio Lab, Point Hub București
2017 International Conference Media Art Histories: Re:Trace / Media Art, Science and Technology, Universitatea Danube Krems
2013 International Conference Media Art Histories: Re:New / Media Art, Science and Technology, RIXC / Center for New Media Culture Riga
2011 Workshop REMAKE – Rethinking Media Arts in Collaborative Environments, Fundația AltArt, Fabrica de Pensule Cluj-Napoca
2011 Exhibition Posibil – Nesigur. Fotografie, Video și Instalație în Timișoara, Halele Timco Timișoara

Artistic experience
Avantpost Projects:
2019 From Revolution to Revolutions – ReMind Mapping 89 / MultipleXity / Timișoara 2021 – European Capital of Culture, Corneliu Mikloși Museum, Timișoara
2019 In Vitro Veritas, Timișoara 2021 – European Capital of Culture, Gara de Nord Alternative Space Timișoara
2017 Multimedia Show: UNIVERSALLOWED / Fabrica de Baterii , Timișoara
2016 Hidden Agenda. In memoriam Sorin Oncu, Temporary Museum of Contemporary Art, Timișoara / Rezidența Scena 9 / NAG București
2016 Epicenter, Art Museum Arad
2016 Unseen. Celebrating DADA, Helios Gallery Timișoara
2015 Beyond the Silence, Banat Museum Timișoara
2014 The Vanishing Point, Timco Halls, Timișoara

Other exhibitions:
2018 Baroque II Urban / Woman, All Too Woman, Art Museum Timișoara
2017 Art in Process – Process in Art, ausstellungsraum.at, Viena
2016 Triology, Alfa Gallery Arad
2015 Meeting Point, Contemporary Art Biennial Arad
2013 Leap, Geam Mat Gallery, Art Museum Timișoara
2012 Sign Out Video Art Festival, Fine Arts Faculty Oradea & Visual Container Milano
2010 Young Artists Biennial / Portfolio Presentation, META Foundation, Palatul Știrbei București
2008 Living in a Cube, Delta Gallery Arad
2008 Sculpture Today. 4 Sculptural Discourses, Delta Gallery Arad
2007 Artist in Residence / WARMING! Hard Hot Area, Romanian Cultural Institute London
2007 AIR / Brâncuși -Tribute and Heritage, National Center for Monuments & Centre Pompidou Paris
2006 International Sculpture Symposium: National Park Behringen
2006 UTOPIA / Contemporary Art Festival, Fine Arts Facultaty and Design, West University Timișoara
2004 Transfigurations. Full Stop and Start Again. Prospecting the Young Art in Romania, Art Museum Timișoara
2003 Night Shot Series, 2/2 Gallery, Timișoara
2001 MATERIAL / National Contest of Installation, H’Arta Alternative Space, Timișoara

Curatorial experience:
2019, Transborder Exhibition / Consulart #2 Serbia, organized by Diplomatic Art Association and Timișoara 2021 Association – European Capital of Culture, funded by Ministry of Culture and National Identity in cultural partnership with the General Consulate of Serbia at Timișoara

Awards and scholarships: 2010 PRO JUVENTUTE Diploma offered by Timis County Council for improving education, 2007 Soroptimist International Award – ‘Brâncuşi – Homage and Heritage’ International Sculpture Competition, Paris, 2002, 2000, 1999 STUDENT OF MERIT Fine Arts Faculty West University Timisoara, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 Scholarship for excellence

References in catalogs and art magazines:

2018, Revista Orizont. Text by Maria Orosan Telea, 2011 Exhibition catalogue Possible – Uncertain, photography, video, installation in Timisoara. Text by Ileana Pintilie, 2011 Arta / Visual Art Review, issue No.1, 4 Discourses about Imponderability. Text by Emil Moldovan, 2008 Exhibition catalogue Living Inside the Cube, December, Delta Art Gallery, Arad. Work: IN GRAIN (BLACK BOX / WHITE NOISE). Text by Ileana Pintilie, 2008 Exhibition catalogue Sculpture Today. 4 Discourses, second edition, June,Delta Art Gallery, Arad. Work: IN GRID. Text by Emil Moldovan, 2004 Exhibition catalogue Transfigurations. Full Stop and Start Again. Prospections about Young Art in Romania, May-June, Art Museum of the Banat Region, Timişoara, Romania. Work: Emigrant. Text by Ileana Pintilie, 2001 Balkon / Art Magazine, issue No. 9, Idea Design & Print Publishing House,Cluj. Work: MATERIAL, H’Arta, Timisoara, 14-17 December. Text by Bogdan Achimescu